SUBMITTED by Robert Stopper (5-May-2012)
In Lyons, NY it was Saturday and 7:15 in the morning. Sun screen had been applied. Hands had been taped. Sun, wind, and mosquito scarves were in place. Sun glasses were attached. Camelbaks were full. All safety equipment had been double checked . And then it happened….
The sun was bright, the water was smooth, and the spirits were high as the NYS Spare Seat Kayak Expedition gracefully glided into the waters of the Erie Canal and headed east to Lock E 27. Leaders of the morning’s expedition were Richard Harpham, world renowned international kayaker who has kayaked from Vancouver to Alaska and Glenn Charles, nationally recognized kayaker, bicyclist, and photographer who has kayaked the Inside Passage as well as the entire Eastern Seaboard of the USA.
Accompanying Richard and Glenn were Rosie Fuller, a travel writer for Adventure Travel Magazine from Birmingham, London, and “the Guest in the Spare Seat” from Lyons to Weedsport, Lyons resident and Erie Canal Advocate Mark DeCracker.
The NYS Spare Seat Kayak Expedition on the Erie Canal from Buffalo to the Statue of Liberty is sponsored by the I Love New York tourism organization in an effort to promote the Erie canal on an international basis. The purpose of the “spare seat” is to engage a local “expert” to point out historical and important “sights” and help tell the regional story of the canal, either in recordings or in photographic media.
Early in the morning before the trip began– it was early– the expedition participants met at the Lyons Fire Department café. On behalf of the Mayor, Corrine Kleisle, they were welcomed by Joanne Greco, a Village Trustee. They were then treated to a breakfast prepared by Jerry Ashley, Mainstreet Director, assisted by Joanne Greco, Jack McCranels, Dave Dewolfe, a fire department member, and Dave and Pat Alena.
Mrs. Alena, better know as Peppermint Patti, welcomed the expedition crew and gave a brief overview of Peppermint history in the village. After accepting a small “History of Peppermint booklet” and a bottle of Peppermint Oil, the crew hastily embarked back to the Lyons Drydock for their kayaks– it was getting late and it was time to continue making history– the time was 6:45 AM!
PHOTOS
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| Safety Check |
The sun was bright, the water was smooth, and the spirits were high as the NYS Spare Seat Kayak Expedition gracefully glided into the waters of the Erie Canal and headed east to Lock E 27. Leaders of the morning’s expedition were Richard Harpham, world renowned international kayaker who has kayaked from Vancouver to Alaska and Glenn Charles, nationally recognized kayaker, bicyclist, and photographer who has kayaked the Inside Passage as well as the entire Eastern Seaboard of the USA.
Accompanying Richard and Glenn were Rosie Fuller, a travel writer for Adventure Travel Magazine from Birmingham, London, and “the Guest in the Spare Seat” from Lyons to Weedsport, Lyons resident and Erie Canal Advocate Mark DeCracker.The NYS Spare Seat Kayak Expedition on the Erie Canal from Buffalo to the Statue of Liberty is sponsored by the I Love New York tourism organization in an effort to promote the Erie canal on an international basis. The purpose of the “spare seat” is to engage a local “expert” to point out historical and important “sights” and help tell the regional story of the canal, either in recordings or in photographic media.
Early in the morning before the trip began– it was early– the expedition participants met at the Lyons Fire Department café. On behalf of the Mayor, Corrine Kleisle, they were welcomed by Joanne Greco, a Village Trustee. They were then treated to a breakfast prepared by Jerry Ashley, Mainstreet Director, assisted by Joanne Greco, Jack McCranels, Dave Dewolfe, a fire department member, and Dave and Pat Alena.
Mrs. Alena, better know as Peppermint Patti, welcomed the expedition crew and gave a brief overview of Peppermint history in the village. After accepting a small “History of Peppermint booklet” and a bottle of Peppermint Oil, the crew hastily embarked back to the Lyons Drydock for their kayaks– it was getting late and it was time to continue making history– the time was 6:45 AM!
PHOTOS
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| Spare Seat Expedition leaves Lyons with DeCracker (red hat) leading the way |
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| Kayakers headed to Weedsport |
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Peppermint Patty Said,
So much fun(even tho EARLY!)meeting and greeting these wonderful kayakers!!! So glad to be a part of this!!
Peppermint Patty
Posted on Mon May 07, 08:50:00 AM EDT